Kurt Zouma says it is an "honour" to be named as the latest captain of West Ham United FC.
The French international was given the skipper's armband in the wake of the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.And speaking in the wake of West Ham's 2-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend, Zouma expressed his pride at being rewarded for his dedication and loyal service - while backing manager David Moyes to continue to bring the good times to east London.
"It's a huge honour and privilege for me to be captain," he said. "It's an amazing club and I'm just so proud,
"The manager has done an amazing job. He's a legend here. We won a trophy last year and that was a top achievement. And for me personally he has been helping me in every aspect, with my game and outside of football he has been supporting me throughout everything.
"I just can't thank him enough for what he's done for me and I try to give it back on the pitch. That's my way, on the pitch. Everything he has helped me through I have to give it back on the pitch."
Meanwhile Zouma also had plenty to say about Rice, who moved to Arsenal for a record-breaking £105million suring the summer transfer window.
"We lost a top player, an important player, in Declan," he added. "But I think the replacements that we made have been very clever.
"That didn't affect us, to be fair, we knew he was going to go. He's played some unbelievable games here, he'll always be remembered here, but he's an opponent now.
"The players that came in have bought into the project at West Ham, they've bought into the tactics, they've settled quickly as well. So we are pleased to have those guys and they've helped us make a really strong start to the season."
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